1.1.1.1 Physical Contaminants
These waste products hamper the appearance of the water and alter its physical
properties. For example, human and animal feces, household sediments in the lakes,
soil erosion from the rivers and small streams (Fawell and Nieuwenhuijsen 2003).
1.1.1.2 Chemical Contaminants
These waste products occur naturally or are human-made such as industrial wastes,
bleaching agents, insecticides, and pesticides used in farming and pharmaceutical
drugs (Barrett 2014).
1.1.1.3 Biological Contaminants
These waste products mainly comprise microbes such as viruses, protozoa, parasites,
bacteria, and their byproducts (Fawell and Nieuwenhuijsen 2003).
1.1.1.4 Radiological Contaminants
These are the harmful waste products formed from the protons and neutrons of an
unstable atom which emits harmful ionizing radiation like uranium and plutonium
(Fawell and Nieuwenhuijsen 2003).
1.2 The Problem Scenario
For any nation, the most significant aspect, as well as a considerable successful
public health practice, is the delivery of safe drinking water to its citizens. However,
lack of knowledge about water contamination, risk factors, and incompetent staff
working in the drinking water supply systems cause unavoidable outbreaks of
waterborne diseases in many countries worldwide (Bain et al. 2014). There is an
increase in concern about the old drinking water supply systems that are more prone
to the damage and intrusion of pathogenic microorganisms from various sources
(Ashbolt 2015). Additionally, the improper industrial waste disposal and sanitation
system increase the intrusion of unwanted contaminants to the water bodies that
increases the rates of life-threatening waterborne infections/disease. There are several types of waterborne diseases (Fig. 1.1). Further, water bodies, quality of
drinking water, and sanitation systems are also seriously affected by droughts and
floods. For example, flooding can directly spread fecal contaminants which can lead
to an outbreak of diseases like waterborne diarrhea, cholera, and hepatitis (Luby
2
S. Rath
These waste products hamper the appearance of the water and alter its physical
properties. For example, human and animal feces, household sediments in the lakes,
soil erosion from the rivers and small streams (Fawell and Nieuwenhuijsen 2003).
1.1.1.2 Chemical Contaminants
These waste products occur naturally or are human-made such as industrial wastes,
bleaching agents, insecticides, and pesticides used in farming and pharmaceutical
drugs (Barrett 2014).
1.1.1.3 Biological Contaminants
These waste products mainly comprise microbes such as viruses, protozoa, parasites,
bacteria, and their byproducts (Fawell and Nieuwenhuijsen 2003).
1.1.1.4 Radiological Contaminants
These are the harmful waste products formed from the protons and neutrons of an
unstable atom which emits harmful ionizing radiation like uranium and plutonium
(Fawell and Nieuwenhuijsen 2003).
1.2 The Problem Scenario
For any nation, the most significant aspect, as well as a considerable successful
public health practice, is the delivery of safe drinking water to its citizens. However,
lack of knowledge about water contamination, risk factors, and incompetent staff
working in the drinking water supply systems cause unavoidable outbreaks of
waterborne diseases in many countries worldwide (Bain et al. 2014). There is an
increase in concern about the old drinking water supply systems that are more prone
to the damage and intrusion of pathogenic microorganisms from various sources
(Ashbolt 2015). Additionally, the improper industrial waste disposal and sanitation
system increase the intrusion of unwanted contaminants to the water bodies that
increases the rates of life-threatening waterborne infections/disease. There are several types of waterborne diseases (Fig. 1.1). Further, water bodies, quality of
drinking water, and sanitation systems are also seriously affected by droughts and
floods. For example, flooding can directly spread fecal contaminants which can lead
to an outbreak of diseases like waterborne diarrhea, cholera, and hepatitis (Luby
2
S. Rath